In the Catskills: A Century of Jewish Experience in \ by Phil Brown


In the Catskills: A Century of Jewish Experience in \
Title : In the Catskills: A Century of Jewish Experience in \
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0231123612
ISBN-10 : 9780231123617
Language : English
Format Type : Paperback
Number of Pages : -
Publication : First published May 8, 2002

Through fiction, memoir, music, photography, and art, In the Catskills highlights the Catskills experience over a century and assesses its continuing impact on American music, comedy, food, culture, and religion. It features selections from such fiction writers as Isaac Bashevis Singer, Herman Wouk, Allegra Goodman and Vivian Gornick; and original contributions from historians, sociologists, and scholars of American and Jewish culture that trace the history of the region, the rise of hotels and bungalow colonies, the wonderful flavors of food and entertainment, and distinctive forms of Jewish religion found in the Mountains.

What was life--the work, the play, the food, the romance--like at Catskills Mountains resorts? These very personal recollections capture the special sense of community and real sense of freedom that developed. Far from the welter of the city, Jewish families learned to vacation and enjoy themselves, to savor the social mobility and cultural space the resorts afforded, and to nourish their culinary and comic traditions. From "Bingo by the Bungalow" by Thane Rosenbaum to "Young Workers in the Hotels" by Phil Brown to "Shoot the Shtrudel to Me Yudel" by Henry Foner, this charming anthology captures an era that has had enormous impact on the Jewish experience and American culture as a whole.

"Whenever I speak about the Catskills," observes editor Phil Brown, "I am struck by the strength of people's desire to relive their experiences in the Mountains." If you've visited the Catskills yourself, or heard stories from your parents or grandparents, or are just interested in this extraordinary time and place, pack your bags and prepare to enjoy your stay In the Catskills.

In the Catskills: A Century of Jewish Experience in \ Reviews

  • Suzanne

    I grew up in a protestant Midwestern town. Anything Jewish was just as alien to me as Mars, but then I moved to New York City. I discovered a whole subculture of Americana during my seven years there. I spent Passover with a co-worker's family in Long Island, I learned the various Yiddish words that were sprinkled throughout conversation, and I constantly heard reference to "Grossingers" in the "Catskills."

    The Catskills was the penultimate summer vacation spot for American Jews, from the end of the 19th century until it's dying days in the 1980's. I heard about it during it's last gasp, when my boss would mention time spent there, and everyone awed at Patrick Swayze as an on-screen dancing instructor at a Catskills hotspot in "Dirty Dancing."

    In the Catskills is an interesting and charming work - part history, part memoir, and part fiction. Phil Brown presents a history of the summer destination, what it was like and what it meant to American Jews. Also included are excerpts from such famous Jewish writers like Isaac Bashevis Singer and Herman Wouk, about the Catskills.

    Anyone who has a connection will greatly enjoy the memories inspired by this book. Even those who've never been there (like me!), will appreciate learning about this unique part of American history.

  • David

    In the Catskills highlights the Catskills experience over a century and a half and assesses its continuing impact on American music, comedy, food, culture, and religion. It features selections from such fiction writers as Isaac Bashevis Singer and Herman Wouk. Great early insight as to why the Jew’s settled in these areas and their involvement in agriculture, business and culture. Enjoyable short stories into an are that had been lost.

  • Barbara Morgenroth

    Better than Dirty Dancing. Well, different anyway. An enjoyable look back at a vacation destination for decades. A colorful reminiscence and unfortunately most of the hotels are gone now. The 1938 movie Having a Wonderful Time starring Ginger Rogers, Douglas Fairbanks Jr, Lucille Ball and Red Skelton takes place at a rustic retreat in the Catskills so it was a source of inspiration and talent for many years.